The launch of the Discovery shuttle was postponed for a week, at least until February 19 due to a malfunction

NASA plans to launch the space shuttle Discovery for mission STS-119 a week later than originally planned - not before February 19 * The launch of the upgrade mission to Hubble has been postponed to May 12

NASA plans to launch the space shuttle Discovery on mission STS-119 a week later than originally planned - no earlier than February 19. The shuttle is supposed to upload the space station's final array of solar collectors to the space station. The schedule depends on tests of how the control valves are used Flow on the space shuttle.

Shuttle engineers and program managers examine and assess whether there is any damage that may occur if small pieces of the valves break during launch. The valves regulate the hydrogen gas from the three main engines to the external fuel tank during the shuttle's journey to orbit. The results of the tests and other criteria will be discussed during the coming week at a special meeting on February 10 and at a second meeting that will discuss the readiness for the flight scheduled for February 12.

Therefore, for the launch, NASA employees continue to carry out the exact steps to prepare Discovery for launch. The work will accelerate in the coming week as the day of the launch draws closer. The astronauts who will fly on the Space Shuttle Discovery were mainly engaged in administrative work this week in preparation for the launch.

Hubble Upgrade Mission - May

In the meantime, NASA distributed this week Email inAccording to which the Hubble Space Telescope upgrade mission that was supposed to be launched in October 2008, aboard the space shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-125. As I recall, the launch Postponed due to problems with the Hubble Space Telescope. The agency urged everyone involved with this launch to prepare for the May 12 launch, although the agency will have to overcome several obstacles.